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The Cello Etude System, Part 1A; Closed First Position - Duet Book

by Cassia Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello, Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications
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Cover of The Cello Etude System, Part 1A; Closed First Position - Duet Book
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

Compiling and organizing some of the most effective etudes written for cello, this series of foundation studies gives you a comprehensive step-by-step method for perfecting your cello playing! The Cello Etude System presents both rare and classic etudes interspersed with newly written material, in order of difficulty, providing cello teachers and students with a library of essential resources for teaching and learning cello. Recognizing that students learn at different speeds, The Cello Etude System books allow cellists to learn at either a relaxed pace or an accelerated pace. With works by Dotzauer, Kummer, Lee, Nolck, Werner, Davidov, Popper, and more, this book has a huge array of rare studies for early-intermediate cello. There is a separate duet accompaniment volume for this book: The Cello Etude System, Part 1A; First Position Studies, Duet Book (CHP413.) This book, Part 1A, presents cello etudes in closed first position. The etudes cover techniques such as string crossing, embellishments, hooked bowing, and dynamics. This book could be followed by The Cello Etude System, Part 2A, which teaches extended first position and half position. Co-written by Cassia Harvey and Myanna Harvey.

Technical overview

A library of rare and classic cello etudes listed in order of difficulty.

Level rubric

Late Beginner

Left Hand

  • Mostly 1st position with small extensions.
  • Early shifting to 2nd/3rd positions.
  • Controlled vibrato on sustained notes.

Right Hand

  • Expanded bow technique for faster passages & wider dynamics.
  • Longer slurs (3–4 notes).
  • Hooked bowing for dotted rhythms.
  • Practice basic martelé accents.
  • Increase speed in string crossings with minimal arm movement.

Bow Strokes

  • Standard détaché; add staccato, martelé, short slurs, hooked strokes.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Incorporate dotted figures, compound meters (6/8), triplets & syncopation.
  • Develop subdivision sense; introduce rubato in small measures.
  • Slightly longer phrases.
  • Introduce basic dynamic shading.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.